Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Zamfara State, praised the Supreme Court’s judgment on the redesign of naira notes and urged President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retired) to respect the law. Speaking to journalists at his residence in Gusau, Shinkafi emphasized that the President must honor the Court’s decision and allow both the new and old naira notes to circulate concurrently until 31 December. “Since the Supreme Court has ruled that the old and the new naira notes remain legal tender, no one—regardless of position—can violate that order,” he said, calling on Buhari to promptly instruct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the money into circulation.
Shinkafi noted that the new‑note policy has severely affected many Nigerians, pushing them into deeper poverty since the cashless policy’s introduction. He argued that President Buhari was misled by CBN Governor Godwin Emeifele, pointing out that advanced economies do not abruptly withdraw old currency. “Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and other developed nations change their currencies without setting an expiration date,” he explained. “They allow old notes to circulate alongside new ones until the former are gradually returned to banks.”
He commended the governors of Zamfara, Kaduna, and Kogi states for their substantial efforts to prevent a total collapse caused by the cash crunch. Shinkafi advised these governors to return to court if President Buhari, the Attorney General, and the CBN fail to comply with the Supreme Court’s order. “The governors can apply for enforcement under Form 48 for contempt of court and Form 49 for committal to prison, ensuring that anyone who disregards the Apex Court’s decision is detained,” he said.
Finally, Shinkafi urged Nigerians to continue using both the old and new naira notes as legal tender until 31 December, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive.
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